Self-defense Judo

Class Descriptions

Self-defense Judo: Judo is an ideal self-defense that one could learn to use to restrain an attacker. Using the principle of "maximum efficiency, minimum effort", you use the force of the opponent against himself. It is ideal for people who work in security that need a effective method to restrain someone without unnecessarily hurting the person. It also is a very good choice for women because it does not rely much on strenghth, and through the use of leverage, defend against a bigger and stronger, untrained attacker. It is also great for anti-bully in school.

Aimed at beginner to intermediate students regardless of previous martial art experience, high-level student of other martial arts who wish to study the self-defense aspect of judo. Requires attendance of minimum one class of general judo per week, apart from the self-defense judo class.

Intensity: Low to Medium

Focus: Learning to use the opponent’s strength against him / her. Learning the fundamental techniques of grappling in standing and ground position with emphasize and their application in self-defense situation again grappling and striking attacks; fundamental techniques of striking (atemi waza) and their applications with or without grappling. Introduction to Kata (forms)

The self-defense techniques in judo include both competition (classical judo rules pre-1970) and non-competition techniques. The non-sport techniques are generally more dangerous to cause a higher risk of injury in sparring; hence they are banned from competition; whereas the competition techniques are also fundamental judo self-defense techniques that can be performed safely in sparring. You will learn both.

However, knowing the techniques is not enough, while they can become effective and instinctive after performing many correct repetitions on a cooperating partner, it is even better to test it against a fully resisting partner in sparring. Since the non-competition techniques should not be performed in sparring, you will test your skill using only competition techniques in free sparring during the general class. If you could make a technique work against a resisting opponent who trained in judo, then it is much likely that it would come easier against a non-trained attacker outside judo. This is why you should attend at least one general judo class a week.

Don't be fooled into thinking that competition judo techniques at somehow less effective in self-defense, instead, they are the core of judo as a martial art. Just about every competition technique can be powerful as a self-defense technique.

The effectiveness of judo is what made it part of the requirement of becoming a police in Japan.